Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Old French
Origin: baterie, from batre 'to hit';
Sense: 4
Origin: from the idea of hitting with gunfire;
Sense: 1
Origin: from the idea of a group of electricity-producing cells joined together

battery

 noun
     
battery
Related topics: Weapons, Crime, Agriculture, Electricity
bat‧ter‧y S2 plural batteries
1

electricity

[countable]TPE an object that provides a supply of electricity for something such as a radio, car, or toyCOLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
change the batteries (in something) (=put new batteries in something) charge/recharge a battery (=fill it with electricity again after it has been used) flat battery British English dead battery American English (=one that has no more electricity in it) rechargeable battery (=one that can be recharged and used again) car battery battery powered/operated battery compartment (=the place where the batteries go) battery charger (=a piece of equipment for charging batteries)
You have to take the top off to change the batteries.
When the red light comes on, you should recharge the battery .
The car's got a flat battery.
a battery-operated hair dryer
2

a battery of something

a group of many things of the same type:
a battery of medical tests
3

farm

[countable]TAHBA British English a row of small cages in which chickens are kept, so that the farm can produce large numbers of eggs:
battery hens
 ➔ free-range
4

guns

[countable]PMW several large guns used together:
an anti-aircraft battery
5

crime

[uncountable]SCC law the crime of hitting someone:
He was charged with assault and battery.
 ➔ assault and battery
6

recharge your batteries

informal to rest or relax in order to get back your energy:
A week in the mountains should recharge my batteries.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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